The Horse World's Good News
A colleague and I were just talking about the many issues of concern in today's horse world--the slaughter debate, the downturned horse market, loss of riding land to development, rising feed prices, drought-plagued hay lands, and so forth--and reminded ourselves that it's easy to get so caught up in the negative news that the good news goes unheralded. So with that as my inspiration, here's a question for you:
What's a horse-world positive that you'd like to see brought into brighter light? Where do you see the glass being half full instead of half empty?
posted by Juli Thorson @ 12:58 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
I think the advances in technology of the horse has come an amazing long way. I remember when my uncle used to de-worm his horses with chewing tobacco??
Most recently the advances with tendon stem cell research are awesome. It's given many a great athlete a second chance whereas before his or her career would have been ended. What's the icing on the cake is stem cell technology is natural, far less invasive than many other tried methods, they're are no known side effects and it's affordable for even the backyard horse person if you can find a vet that is versed with it. I've spent $1,500 treating my horses for colic, so I'd surely spend that much if one came up with a tendon problem that was possibly career ending.
Foals. I have followed the progress of a friend's foal from the day he was born. He is now a yearling. Its fascinating to watch their behaviour, the changes to coat colour, the way they learn to graze, interact with other horses, and explore the world. If you get the chance, watch a foal grow up. It doesn't have to be your own.
I love being 50 something! After a 20 year hiatus of not being able to afford a horse, I now have it all...A beautiful 3 yr old qtr horse mare that I have raised from a foal. I have a fun mini gelding that I have been showing in driving and winning a lot of ribbons. I have recently built a barn with stalls, a tack room and hay storage. I have a used, but good enough slant load trailer, and all the equipment I need, well, there is always something more that I need. It is nice to finally be able to afford the hobby that I have been so passionate about all my life. That is the horse world's good news for me!
Something positive -
Watching a horse learn. I have a yearling that is amazing to watch learn any new task I put in front of her. Just today, we walked over 4x4's and over a make shift bridge. She watched me intently, followed me and trusted me when I told her it's OK, you can do it.
To me, that makes all of the negative worth while.
Positive: More and more people are embracing non-confrontational training methods such as "natural horsemanship," clicker training, target training and using operant conditioning instead of punishment.
Positive: The advances in equine medicine are nothing short of fantastic. Horses are continuing to lead longer, healthier lives.
I'm sure I could think of more, but these two are a lot in themselves.
This is a possible positive rather than a certain negative; therefore the glass is half full, so check into this. There is a Trust for Public Land which gains control of undeveloped land for the purpose of keeping it undeveloped; ergo, no vehicular traffic. I have approached this organization with reference to the geographic area in which I would like to be able to ride and drive horses without being forced onto public highways. Relying on what would seem to me to be common goals with the TPL, I am hoping for a positive response.
Back in the saddle after having a hip replacement a year ago June.
My beloved mare, Dakota Miss Jabber who has always ben "gooee" standing stock still for me to mount. She is ready to be back on the trails!
Friends to ride with. Trails to ride on.
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